Parkinsons and Epilepsy Flashcards
Parkinsons disease
Neurodegenerative disorder consisting of loss of dopaminergic neurones in the substantia nigra leading to degeneration of projections
1% incidence, increases with age and male gender
PC - bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity and postural instability. Autonomic symptoms of postural hypotension, urinary incontinence, constipation and erectile dysfunction
1st symptoms = anosmia, depression/anxiety, sleep disturbance,
Parkinsonism
Clinical signs and symptoms of PD may be caused by MSA, huxngtingtons or small vessel ischemia
Sites for medication to act in PD
Levodopa - replaces missing dopamine
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors - prevent dopamine breakdown
Dopamine agonists - mimic dopamine actions by binding to the post synaptic receptor
COMT inhibitors - prevent breakdown at synaptic cleft
L-dopa (madopar = co-careldopa) MOA
Precursor for dopamine given with decarboxylase inhibitor to prevent its breakdown peripherally. Without this only 5% would reach the brain and SE of dopamine peripherally would be N/V, arrhythmias and postural hypotension
Short term SE L-dopa
N/V, reduced appetite
Somnolence, insomnia and vivid dreams
Postural hypotension - vasodilation of cardiac vessels
Long term SE L-dopa
Motor compilations 50% pt @ 5 years = wearing off of dose requiring increase strength preparations, on off switching and freezing
Dyskinesia = continual writhing, rocking or fighting movements. Dose related. To reduced effects take with meals, small frequent doses and use adjunct medications
CI L-dopa
Heart failure, arrhythmias. Closed angle glaucoma
Interactions of L-dopa
MAOI’s increased risk of hypertensive crisis
Antihypertensives = increased effect
Warn pt about driving or operating heavy machinery due to drowsiness or dyskinesia
Don’t abruptly stop taking medication = rhabdomyolysis or neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Dopamine agonists (Ropinerole or rotigotine)
Mimics effect of dopamine by binding to post synaptic receptors in striatum. Not used in elderly due to reduced efficacy compared to L-dopa and can have increased psychotic effects
1st line in patients <70y/o newly diagnosed
SE of dopamine agonists
Somnolence, confusion and hallucinations
N/V and reduced appetite
Impulse control disorders 15% hyper sexuality, gambling, shopping sprees
CI drugs in PD
Dopamine antagonists = haloperidol
Mono-amine oxidase B inhibitors (Selegline/rasagiline)
Irreversibly inhibit MOAB the specific enzyme for dopamine breakdown after reuptake from the synaptic cleft
Used as an adjunct to L-dopa
SE of MAOBi
N/V, confusion and insomnia, postural hypotension
Increase risk of serotonin syndrome
Catechol-O-methyl-tranferase inhibitors (Entacapone)
Inhibit COMT, this enzyme is responsible for breakdown of dopamine at the synaptic cleft. Prolongs its action at the post synaptic receptor
SE COMT
Increased risk of dyskinesias, diarrhoea, reddish brown urine. Tolcapone is more effective but increased risk of hepatotoxcity
Amantidine
Acts as a minor antimuscarinic, stimulating dopamine release and inhibiting its reuptake. Can reduced dyskinesia
SE = ankle oedema, postural hypotension and confusion
Treatment of PD 50-60y/o and >70y/o
<70y/o and new diagnosis = MAOI and dopamine agonists. L-dopa sparing strategy
> 70y/o / comorbidities = L-dopa +/- MAOBi or COMT
If severe dyskinesia reduce dose of L-dopa and start amantadine
Mx PD complications
Anxiety/ insomnia = CBT, SSRI’s, Zopiclone
Constipation = hydration, laxatives
Nocturne and incontinence = catheter?
Drug induced Parkinsons
Dopamine antagonists = haloperidol, metacloprimide
Lithium, sodium valproate, fluoxetine
Hypertensive emergency vs Hypertensive crisis
Emergency = High blood pressure and acute impairment of 1+ organ systems
Hypertensive crisis = BP >180 no evidence of organ damage
PC hypertensive emergency and Mx
Retinal haemorrhages and papilloedema
increased ICP = headache, vomiting, low GCS,
Acute renal failure = haemturia and proteinuria
Mx IV sodium nitroprusside
Complications of HTN emergency
Hypertensive encephalopathy, CVA, inter cranial haemorrhage. MI, LV dysfunction, AKI
Causes of HTN emergency
Pregnancy, cocaine, Phaechromocytoma, head trauma, dopamine agonist, MAOI, renal artery stenosis
Epilepsy and seizures definition
Epilepsy = predisposition to having seizures Seizure = A clinical symptom caused by abnormal electrical discharge in the brain
Generalised seizures
Loss of consciousness, discharge over the entire cortex
Include absence seizures, tonic-clonic, myoclonic
Mx = sodium valproate
Partial seizures
Focal onset, consciousness maintained
Simple and complex - then can turn into generalised seizures
Often demonstrate automatism seen due to activity at temporal lobe = smacking of lips, chewing, clapping of hands. Can include olfactory hallucinations
Mx = carbamazepine